Los Angeles history

Walter O'Malley Dies

Vin Scully and Walter O'Malley before the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles.

Is it a stretch to suggest that Walter O'Malley was the man chiefly responsible for pro sports in Southern California?

Consider that the Lakers might not have moved to L.A. as early as
1960, or that the American League might not have expanded to L.A. in
1961. Never mind about the Kings and Ducks who came much, much later.

Without O'Malley's decision to bring the Dodgers to Los Angeles, everything might have been different.

O'Malley died at 75 and his passing deservedly received mountains of
words in The Times. Here's my favorite section from a story by Penelope
McMillan:

"He enjoyed building, 'like a kid with blocks,' retired National
League President Warren Giles once said of him. It was a theme that ran
through nearly all his pursuits, whether the Dodgers, his two children
or orchids. 'He liked to see things grow and get better,' Giles said."